Continuous improvement with processes usually only deal with Single-Loop Learning. We inspect the results of our immediate reactions and then make corrections. Usually this is ok for a team that is building software in iterations. It's about following the rules. But when we go a bit higher, it maybe isn't enough anymore.
The second level, Double-Loop Learning was introduced to me by the Lean Startup book. In that method we still make small modifications as often as possible to learn fast, but we also can choose to either pivot or persevere. Do we want to keep on chasing the selected goal or should we select another target? Already this felt to me like something really awesome. Someone has even described the ideas of Lean Startup as possessing super powers. (I wouldn't maybe go that far, but it's a good book.) On this second level we create more insights about our actions. It can be also characterized as Systems Thinking.
But I wasn't aware, at least consciously, of the next level: Triple-Loop Learning until now. Jurgen Appelo writes about it in his blog post and Thorsten Gragert's wiki site offers a nice a summary including the below figure. The 3rd level deals with principles. In organizational context I'd associate it with company values and learning about learning.
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| Figure adopted from www.thorsten.org |
By digging a bit more I found this article about Learning organizations. Interesting concept. They have the following five main features:
- systems thinking
- personal mastery
- mental models
- shared vision
- team learning
And finally, as a somewhat sidestep, I'll share a some tips I have spotted from many successful organizations:
- Dream big
- Hire the best people (who share your dream)
- Stay out of their way
- Share the success
